Tag Archives: Goodwood Festival of Speed

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Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Stuns at Goodwood—Now Road-Legal Thanks to Lanzante

One of the loudest—and arguably most exhilarating—appearances at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed came from a car that was never supposed to see public roads: the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento. Built as a purebred track weapon, the ultra-rare Italian hypercar has now been transformed into a road-legal marvel, thanks to the UK-based performance specialists at Lanzante.

With only 20 units ever produced, the Sesto Elemento (Italian for “Sixth Element,” a nod to carbon’s atomic number) has remained a unicorn in Lamborghini’s storied lineup. Originally unveiled in 2011, it redefined lightweight performance by embracing advanced carbon-fiber construction at a time when most manufacturers were still flirting with the material. The result? A featherweight figure of just 999 kilograms, paired with a snarling 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10 and Lamborghini’s signature all-wheel-drive system.

At Goodwood, the modified Sesto Elemento was the only road-legal version in existence—and it made its presence felt. Its aggressive soundtrack echoed off the hay bales as the V10 unleashed its full 570-horsepower fury up the hill, captivating crowds with both its auditory drama and otherworldly silhouette.

Converting a track-only prototype into a street-ready machine is no easy feat, but Lanzante has built a reputation for precisely that kind of wizardry. The firm, already known for road-legal conversions of the Pagani Huayra R and even Formula 1-derived machines like the Red Bull RB17, has now added the Sesto Elemento to its portfolio of bespoke projects.

According to Lanzante, the conversion was somewhat eased by the car’s 15-year-old platform. “Being from 2011, it only had to meet the standards of that era,” said a company representative in an interview with CarBuzz. Still, Lanzante had to make a series of critical updates to comply with road regulations, including functional lighting, emissions compliance, and even the addition of air conditioning. To make everyday driving feasible, the team also installed a nose-lift system to help the low-slung hypercar tackle speed bumps and steep driveways.

Mechanically, the road-going Sesto Elemento remains largely unchanged from its track-focused roots. That means it still packs the same Gallardo-derived 5.2-liter V10, paired with a six-speed automated manual gearbox and carbon-fiber everything—from the monocoque chassis to the suspension components. The use of forged carbon throughout not only cut weight but gave the Sesto Elemento a distinctive and futuristic aesthetic that has aged remarkably well.

The Lanzante-converted Sesto Elemento is expected to remain a rare sight, but it won’t be the last. The company has confirmed plans to produce at least one more road-legal version, meaning the once-impossible dream of driving this carbon-fiber missile on public roads is now very real for a lucky few.

For enthusiasts and collectors alike, the presence of a road-legal Sesto Elemento marks a full-circle moment. A track-only fantasy from the last decade has now joined the modern supercar canon as a usable—albeit extreme—road machine. At Goodwood, it wasn’t just about sound and speed; it was about history, engineering, and the will to defy limitations.

Source: CarBuzz

NEW CARS

Lanzante 95-59: A $1.6 Million Three-Seat Supercar with Le Mans DNA

In a world where hypercars are often synonymous with overcomplication and excessive weight, Lanzante has unveiled a refreshing counterpoint: the 95-59, a three-seat, V8-powered supercar that bridges the past, present, and future of driver-focused engineering. Premiering this week at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the 95-59 is more than just a car—it’s a rolling homage to one of motorsport’s greatest triumphs.

A Name Rooted in Racing Glory

The “95-59” name isn’t arbitrary. It pays direct tribute to the #59 McLaren F1 GTR, run by Lanzante, that clinched overall victory at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans—an achievement that forever etched the UK-based outfit into endurance racing history. Now, three decades later, Lanzante distills everything it has learned since that win into a road-going machine that channels the soul of the McLaren F1 with a thoroughly modern twist.

Three Seats, One Vision

Like the original F1—and the more recent McLaren Speedtail and GMA T.50—the 95-59 features a central driving position flanked by two passenger seats, emphasizing driving purity and balance. Access to this unique cabin is granted via dihedral doors, reinforcing its McLaren-derived DNA. While Lanzante is keeping much of the interior under wraps, glimpses reveal a minimalist cockpit with physical controls arranged intuitively around—and even above—the driver, harking back to analog racing machines.

Power-to-Weight Masterclass

At the heart of the 95-59 is a McLaren-sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, churning out 850 horsepower and 649 lb-ft of torque. There’s no hybrid system here—just raw combustion power channeled to the rear wheels via a seven-speed Seamless Shift Gearbox (SSG). The result? A blistering 0–62 mph time of around 2.5 seconds, and a power-to-weight ratio of 700 hp per tonne—a figure that not only eclipses the original F1 by 158 hp/tonne, but puts it within striking distance of the 1183 hp Ferrari F80.

Lightweight, Laser-Focused

With a target curb weight of just 1,250 kg (2,756 lbs), the 95-59 benefits from a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and full carbon bodywork. The optional LM30 Pack—which includes forged aluminum wheels, titanium exhaust tips, and gold-plated heat shielding—shaves off an additional 20 kg, further sharpening its already scalpel-like dynamics.

Beneath the skin lies a McLaren Monocage chassis, the same carbon structure found under the P1, Senna, and 720S, but adapted by Lanzante to accommodate its unique three-seat layout. A large active rear wing, designed to provide additional downforce under load, ensures the rear stays firmly planted in high-speed corners and straights alike.

Design by a McLaren Mastermind

Styling duties were led by Paul Howse, the designer behind the P1, 570S, and 720S. The result is a familiar yet distinct silhouette, punctuated by aerodynamic sculpting and a bullet-like profile that speaks to both function and form. Painted in Ueno Gray, the same livery worn by the ’95 Le Mans-winning F1 GTR, the 95-59 proudly wears its heritage on its sleeve—despite bearing no McLaren badging.

Howse remarks: “I like to think we’ve created something that is unlike anything else—building its own legacy.”

Limited, But Not Out of Reach

Just 59 examples of the Lanzante 95-59 will be produced, each priced from £1.2 million (approximately $1.63 million USD). While that’s a substantial investment, it undercuts McLaren’s own Speedtail by nearly half and offers a far more exclusive experience than any production supercar currently on the market.

The Legacy Continues

Founder Dean Lanzante described the car as “the result of everything I personally and we, as a business, have learned and experienced over three decades since winning Le Mans.” And with the 95-59, Lanzante isn’t just reviving the spirit of the F1—it’s proving that passion, precision, and performance can still come together in a way that honors the past while setting a new benchmark for the future.

Source: Lanzante

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Lanzante 95-59: A $1.6 Million Three-Seat Supercar with Le Mans DNA
News

McLaren Unveils W1 Supercar and Honors 30 Years Since Le Mans Win

McLaren Automotive is set to light up the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed with a stunning showcase of innovation, performance, and motorsport heritage — all anchored by the global public debut of the all-new McLaren W1.

The striking W1 headlines McLaren’s presence at this year’s Festival, aligning perfectly with the event’s official theme, “Champions and Challengers.” Unveiled to the public for the first time at McLaren House, the W1 marks the third chapter in McLaren’s elite ‘1’ car lineage, following the trailblazing McLaren F1 and P1™.

With just 399 units allocated, the W1 is already fully spoken for. And it’s no wonder: it features an all-new 1,275PS V8 hybrid powertrain, rear-wheel drive, and advanced active aerodynamics inspired by Formula 1. It’s a brutal yet refined driving experience tailored for both road and track — a formula that defines McLaren’s engineering ethos across generations.

Honoring Le Mans Glory – 30 Years On

McLaren is also celebrating a major motorsport milestone at Goodwood: 30 years since its iconic victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 1995, McLaren stunned the motorsport world by winning on its debut, and this year, that legendary F1 GTR makes a rare return to dynamic action — piloted up the hill by none other than JJ Lehto, one of the original winning trio.

Accompanying this Le Mans tribute is the debut of the new 750S Le Mans, a special edition supercar built in homage to the legendary F1 LM. Limited to just 50 units, it features a McLaren Special Operations (MSO) High Downforce Kit designed to elevate track performance while visually echoing the drama of its Le Mans heritage.

Solus GT: A Vision Revisited

Back for a third consecutive appearance is McLaren’s most radical track machine: the Solus GT. This track-only hypercar — powered by a screaming 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10 producing 840PS — has become a crowd favorite, famously winning the Timed Shootout Final in 2023. This year, a unique customer-owned Solus GT will once again climb the hill, highlighting MSO’s custom artistry and McLaren’s unfiltered pursuit of performance.

Celebration Editions and Community Spirit

Adding further flair to McLaren’s 2025 lineup are the 750S and Artura Celebration Edition models, each limited to just nine examples. These ultra-exclusive cars feature a bespoke Papaya Orange and Anthracite livery, commemorating McLaren’s 2024 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship triumph. Their dynamic runs at Goodwood are set to be among the festival’s standout moments.

Additionally, McLaren is marking 10 years of its ‘Longtail’ (LT) series — a decade of lightweight, driver-focused evolution. The brand’s Celebrate LT initiative has brought together global LT owners throughout the year, culminating in a special Goodwood appearance. LT models from McLaren’s Heritage collection will feature in the Supercar Paddock and take part in dynamic demonstrations.

From groundbreaking debuts to tributes steeped in racing legend, McLaren’s 2025 Goodwood presence cements its dual identity as both innovator and icon. As the W1 takes center stage and the echoes of Le Mans glory reverberate through the hills of Sussex, McLaren proves once again that it doesn’t just chase performance — it defines it.

Source: McLaren